Mr NATT - 2005-08-24
Can you please inform the House of the recent discussions with Cricket Australia regarding the return of international cricket to the Top End?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale - whom I know is an avid sports fan - for his question. We all love our international cricket, and we are still trying to recover from the late nights, having watched the Ashes being played in England.
Officials from my Office of Sport and Recreation, with NT Cricket CEO, Neil Dalrymple, met in Melbourne recently with representatives of Cricket Australia. As a result, tThe meeting has brought forward very good news, because it was to discuss international cricket for Darwin in 2006 and the following two years. They are not only looking at fixtures for this year, but are looking into the longer term.
As a result, Cricket Australia haves provided a draft program for an A series to be held in Darwin next year. This program will be finalised in September of this year. Despite previous opposition speculation, it is fantastic that Cricket Australia continues to have confidence in the Northern Territory and the Territory government to deliver first-class international cricket events. Of course, this is fantastic news for all Territory cricket fans.
I am delighted the series will, at this stage, feature A sides from Australia, India and Pakistan. We will see some of the most exciting cricket, with our future stars coming through these A teams. Let us be under no misapprehension;, they are quality cricket players. It will be an exciting series. The draft schedule includes three one-day games and two four-day games before the teams move on to Cairns. There will also be a game of that exciting new concept of 20/20 limited over cricket.
The International Cricket Council has advised they will be meeting in Dubai very soon - I will not be at that meeting, unfortunately - to consider the future three-year program. At this stage, it is likely that Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will be teams to tour Darwin in mid-July 2007 and 2008.
We are working on a longer- term agenda to keep international cricket in the Territory. There is a lotmuch to look forward to and, certainly, plenty of events for sporting fanatics to put into their diaries. This is a fantastic development. I very much look forward to working with Cricket Australia and NT Cricket to ensure the flow-on effect of the continuation of international cricket in the Northern Territory is fully realised.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale - whom I know is an avid sports fan - for his question. We all love our international cricket, and we are still trying to recover from the late nights, having watched the Ashes being played in England.
Officials from my Office of Sport and Recreation, with NT Cricket CEO, Neil Dalrymple, met in Melbourne recently with representatives of Cricket Australia. As a result, tThe meeting has brought forward very good news, because it was to discuss international cricket for Darwin in 2006 and the following two years. They are not only looking at fixtures for this year, but are looking into the longer term.
As a result, Cricket Australia haves provided a draft program for an A series to be held in Darwin next year. This program will be finalised in September of this year. Despite previous opposition speculation, it is fantastic that Cricket Australia continues to have confidence in the Northern Territory and the Territory government to deliver first-class international cricket events. Of course, this is fantastic news for all Territory cricket fans.
I am delighted the series will, at this stage, feature A sides from Australia, India and Pakistan. We will see some of the most exciting cricket, with our future stars coming through these A teams. Let us be under no misapprehension;, they are quality cricket players. It will be an exciting series. The draft schedule includes three one-day games and two four-day games before the teams move on to Cairns. There will also be a game of that exciting new concept of 20/20 limited over cricket.
The International Cricket Council has advised they will be meeting in Dubai very soon - I will not be at that meeting, unfortunately - to consider the future three-year program. At this stage, it is likely that Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will be teams to tour Darwin in mid-July 2007 and 2008.
We are working on a longer- term agenda to keep international cricket in the Territory. There is a lotmuch to look forward to and, certainly, plenty of events for sporting fanatics to put into their diaries. This is a fantastic development. I very much look forward to working with Cricket Australia and NT Cricket to ensure the flow-on effect of the continuation of international cricket in the Northern Territory is fully realised.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016